Goodlatte and Hayes Comment on Senate Resolution

“We are disappointed that the Senate acted so hastily in disapproving the USDA’s science based minimal-risk rule that would put us on the path of normalizing beef and cattle trade with Canada. Yesterday, a judge in Montana granted a preliminary injunction on re-establishing trade with Canada for live cattle younger than 30 months of age.

The ramifications of this judicial ruling are devastating for the U.S. livestock and beef industry. Testimony before the House Committee on Agriculture hearing Tuesday outlined the numerous ways that the status quo is causing adverse economic harm to our processing industry which has grave long term implications for cattle producers. Moreover, the decision further undermines our nation’s credibility as we seek to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers around the world.

While it is unfortunate that the entire matter is now in the hands of the Federal Courts, we are confident that the Administration will act swiftly to appeal this shortsighted ruling. In light of the recent events in Montana, it is difficult to understand why some Senate members felt so compelled to take action today since it is clear that this issue is far from resolved in the courts.”

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House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy asking for documents to confirm whether or not the agency weighed the impact of the proposed “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule on farmers and ranchers.

Today, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a public hearing to examine implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill.